Their music is a mix of hard rock styles. The band cites influences such as Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, Incubus, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana.
Early on, vocalist Lacey Mosley began playing music with drummer James Culpepper. Later on guitarists Jared Hartmann and Sameer Bhattacharya were recruited. "Sameer and Jared are really experimental with melodies and pedals, and we all had different influences that were all blending together with the same passionate and hopeful heart, and that brought out this beautiful feeling. It was magical," said Mosley. When they were still playing as Listen, they played with bassists Josh C. and Jonathan B.. The bassist was replaced by Kirkpatrick Seals in 2002 after he left his previous band The Grove.
All five members of the band are of the Christian faith. This faith in Jesus influences their music, but lead singer Lacey Mosley doesn't necessarily believe that makes Flyleaf a strictly Christian band. "We all share the same faith. And so when we deal with the whole 'Christian band thing,' we kind of think about something P.O.D. says, like, 'If you're a Christian, it affects everything in your life. So if you're a plumber, does that make you a Christian plumber?'" Mosley said. "I don't know the answer. We're a band, it's part of who we are, so it comes out in our music, and it's the fuel for what we do. And finding Christ saved my life. So I'm not ashamed of it at all. And most of our album reflects that".
Flyleaf released a song "Cassie" that was about the shooting of Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott. They were shot in the head after admiting they were Christian. This is just one example of how Flyleaf are touched by events and touch others through their music.
Flyleaf released their first full-length studio album, "Flyleaf", in October 2005. The album was re-released in United States in October 2007 along with their latest digital EP, "Much Like Falling", that was released onto the iTunes store. The re-released version of "Flyleaf" contains additional acoustic tracks.
On the 10th of November 2009, Flyleaf released their second album, called "Memento Mori". The album is a little less heavy than their debut album. Two songs that were released before the official release are "Beautiful Bride" and "Again".
Songfacts reports that their third album will be called "New Horizons". The title track premiered on 89X Radio on August 1, 2012, and will be released on iTunes on August 21, 2012.
On October the 22nd 2012, Lacey Sturm/Mosley declared that she was leaving Flyleaf and that the band was splitting up. This was only a week before their new album was due to be released (New Horizons - 30th October 2012).
On November 7, 2022, it was announced by Flyleaf that Sturm had returned to the band, with the band now calling themselves "Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm".
Official site: www.flyleafmusic.com
Blue Roses
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that path was primrose and led back to black and white
And now I know, since that day you chose to let me know
My heart's been tangled with thorns that choke the light
Oh, here I go, collecting roses to me from you
Oh, here I go, a dozen red for every wound
Oh, now I stop and smell the roses when they're blue
Gonna find my way, break the lock on the Emerald City gates
It could be simple, but we're only half-awake
I feel the pain set in when I think of you and grip the stems
I feel my head begin to spin, I'm not alright
Oh, here I go, collecting roses to me from you
Oh, here I go, a dozen red for every wound
Oh, now I stop and smell the roses when they're blue
When they're blue
Let go of the stems, free to bloom again
Let go of the stems, free to bloom again
Here I go, collecting roses to me from you
Oh, here I go, a dozen red for every wound
Oh, now I stop and smell the roses when they're blue
(Stop, stop, stop) Let go of the stems, free to bloom again
(Stop, stop, stop) Free to bloom again when they're blue
The song "Blue Roses" by Flyleaf is a tale of heartbreak and the pain that comes with it. The opening line refers to the classic Wizard of Oz tale, where the Yellow Brick Road is the pathway to the Emerald City. However, in this song, the path is referred to as primrose, which in this context means false or deceitful. The pathway led the singer back to black and white, indicating a sense of losing hope and direction. The singer then refers to a moment of realization when someone dear chose to let them know something significant which tangled their heart into thorns that choke the light. This line refers to an experience of heartbreak or betrayal, which has caused the singer to feel a sense of suffocation and loss of hope.
The chorus then repeats the phrase "Here I go, collecting roses to me from you," which could mean that the singer is trying to hold onto something positive that they found from their relationship. They then mention collecting red roses "for every wound," which could indicate that they were hurt multiple times. However, the last line of the chorus is what stands out the most, as the singer "stops and smells the roses when they're blue." This line refers to the idea that beauty can be found even in the most challenging situations.
The bridge refers to breaking the lock on the Emerald City gates, which could mean that the singer is trying to find a way to move on from the sense of loss they are experiencing. The phrase "we're only half-awake" could refer to a sense of not truly living life or not recognizing what one has until it's gone. The singer then experiences physical pain, and their head begins to spin, indicating the extent of their emotional turmoil.
Overall, "Blue Roses" is a song that reflects a deep sense of heartbreak and the importance of finding beauty even in the most challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
You said "Come on, let's go down that Yellow Brick Road"
You invited me to follow you on a journey, just like in the Wizard of Oz story.
But that path was primrose and led back to black and white
It turned out that path was not as colorful and exciting as expected, and it led me back to a dull, monochromatic reality.
And now I know, since that day you chose to let me know
I realized afterwards that you intentionally revealed the less-appealing side of that path to me.
My heart's been tangled with thorns that choke the light
Ever since that moment, I have been struggling with painful emotions that obscure my sense of happiness and clarity.
Oh, here I go, collecting roses to me from you
I keep reaching out to you for comfort and affection.
Oh, here I go, a dozen red for every wound
I offer up all my emotional wounds in exchange for your love and support.
Oh, now I stop and smell the roses when they're blue
I have grown wiser and learned to appreciate and reflect on painful experiences, even when they seem bleak and negative.
Gonna find my way, break the lock on the Emerald City gates
I will take control and find my own way forward to overcome the hardship.
It could be simple, but we're only half-awake
The solution may be straightforward, but our lack of full consciousness or effort complicates matters.
I feel the pain set in when I think of you and grip the stems
I experience a sharp pain when remembering you, who are the source of my heartache.
I feel my head begin to spin, I'm not alright
The emotional turmoil is so intense that it causes me physical discomfort and disorientation.
(Stop, stop, stop) Let go of the stems, free to bloom again
I must stop clinging to the source of my pain and open myself up to the possibility of growth and renewal.
(Stop, stop, stop) Free to bloom again when they're blue
Only by releasing my pain will I be able to heal and grow, even when the situation seems unfavorable.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind